To understand how something like this could happen, one has to be a Solex fan. If not, this story would probably be grounds for commitment to the nearest "institute"....

A couple of months ago, I acquired a near-mint copy of a 1978 Solex 4600 V3, the one that the U.S. Department of Transportation decided should be modified to meet U.S. standards of something or other that were in effect in the 1970's. These modifications, as we know, included such useful things as brake lights, an inaudible horn, a kill switch (what?, the decompressor's not good enough any more?), and the ugliest headlight one could possibly put on the bike. But the absolute worst thing that was required, in my opinion, was the twist-grip throttle control which automatically had to return to idle if released. I feel this way about it because after about a mile of riding, my hand feels like it is going to fall off from having to hold onto this grip so tightly. To say this model Solex is my least favorite would be an understatement. It was also yellow. In my view, Solexes are like Model T's - black .

The bike being lemon yellow, it was only right that lemonade be made from it. It so happened that I was e-mailing back and forth with my friend Daniel Gutierrez of Solex Millénium, a collector of some renown, and president of the Solex Club of Houilles, a suburb to the west of Paris. I happened to mention my recently-acquired 4600, and the fact that I was happy to have it (but not overly so), and that it was NOT my favorite model. I mentioned that in a perfect world, I'd readily trade it for a 1700 in equal condition. Now I'll admit that I had no idea how sought-after the 4600 is in France. It was never sold in France because of the U.S.D.O.T.-required equipment, and as such is a highly-desirable piece for a serious French collector.
Daniel is such a collector. It should be noted that I was not fishing for anything when I mentioned this bike to Daniel, as I really did not fully realize what a prize a 4600 is in France. Daniel saw the opportunity that I only imagined, and immediately offered to send me a beautiful 1700 from his collection in exchange for my 4600. That deal didn't take long to conclude. In a matter of days, six large boxes were on their way across the Atlantic Ocean, three going each way. During the week or so that it took for the boxes to reach their respective recipients we discovered that even 60-something solexers can be like little kids awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

Now both Solexes, the 1700 and the 4600 are reassembled and running in their new homes (the 4600 even still has California air in the tires), and their respective new owners couldn't be more pleased with the outcome of the trade. Some hills might still get in the way of a Solex, but not much can deter a determined Solex collector.